Galaxy S IIhttp://www.businessinsider.com/category/galaxy-s-ii
en-usSun, 02 Aug 2015 19:25:01 -0400Sun, 02 Aug 2015 19:25:01 -0400The latest news on Galaxy S II from Business Insiderhttp://static3.businessinsider.com/assets/images/bilogo-250x36-wide-rev.pngBusiness Insiderhttp://www.businessinsider.com
http://www.businessinsider.com/samsung-galaxy-s-ii-ice-cream-sandwich-update-2012-4This Is A Big Problem If You Own A Samsung Android Phone (GOOG, T, S, DT, VZ)http://www.businessinsider.com/samsung-galaxy-s-ii-ice-cream-sandwich-update-2012-4
Tue, 24 Apr 2012 09:24:00 -0400Steve Kovach
<p><img style="float:right;" src="http://static5.businessinsider.com/image/4e84b65a6bb3f7c36f000035/galaxy-s-ii-in-hand-title-image.jpg" border="0" alt="galaxy s ii in hand title image" /></p><p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/samsung" class="hidden_link">Samsung</a> just announced a <a href="http://www.samsung.com/us/support/SupportOwnersFAQPopup.do?faq_id=FAQ00046726&amp;fm_seq=49755">list of smartphones that will get a software update</a> to the latest version of <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/android" class="hidden_link">Android</a>.</p>
<p>The update brings Google's five-month-old version of Android, <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/ice-cream-sandwich" class="hidden_link">Ice Cream Sandwich</a>, to Samsung's popular <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/galaxy-s-ii" class="hidden_link">Galaxy S II</a> phones on AT&amp;T and <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/sprint" class="hidden_link">Sprint</a>.</p>
<p>Most Android phones today still run a version called <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/gingerbread" class="hidden_link">Gingerbread</a>, which is about a year and a half old.</p>
<p>Samsung's list breaks the devices down by carrier, but doesn't provide specific dates for when the new version of Android will be available.</p>
<p>Notably absent is the <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/t-mobile-samsung-galaxy-s-ii-review-2011-10">T-Mobile version of the Galaxy S II</a>. Samsung says it is still in talks with the carrier to bring Ice Cream Sandwich to that phone.</p>
<p>The list also confirms that the original Galaxy S, one of Samsung's most successful smartphone models, will not get the upgrade. We first got word that the Galaxy S would miss Ice Cream Sandwich in December, <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/samsung-galaxy-s-phones-ice-cream-sandwich-update-2011-12">leaving about 10 million customers stuck on an outdated version of Android</a>. Samsung says the Galaxy S hardware isn't powerful enough for the upgrade.</p>
<p>The long wait just demonstrates one of the biggest problems with Google's Android. It takes months and months after a new release for hardware partners and carriers to adopt the new version. By then, <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/google" class="hidden_link">Google</a> is usually gearing up for the version after that.</p>
<p>The only phones that are guaranteed to get the most recent version of Android are Google's Nexus-branded devices like the <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/samsung-galaxy-nexus-review-2011-12">Galaxy Nexus</a>. If you own anything else, you have to wait a long time.</p>
<p>The Galaxy S II upgrade delay isn't totally Samsung's fault. Carrier partners have to test software updates for bugs before giving them the green light. That takes time. It's very likely the Samsung's work is done and Ice Cream Sandwich is ready to go for all these devices. Samsung is just waiting on each carrier to finish testing.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/iphone-or-android-2012-4"><strong>Click here to see 10 reasons why you should pick Android over iPhone</strong></a></p><p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/samsung-galaxy-s-ii-ice-cream-sandwich-update-2012-4#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/samsung-updating-galaxy-s-ii-phones-to-android-ice-cream-sandwich-2012-3After Four Months, Samsung Is Finally Updating Some Phones To The Latest Android Version (GOOG)http://www.businessinsider.com/samsung-updating-galaxy-s-ii-phones-to-android-ice-cream-sandwich-2012-3
Tue, 13 Mar 2012 11:37:25 -0400Steve Kovach
<p><img style="float:right;" src="http://static4.businessinsider.com/image/4e54f6b76bb3f76f5700003f/samsung-galaxy-s-ii.jpg" border="0" alt="samsung galaxy s ii" /></p><p><a class="hidden_link" href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/samsung">Samsung</a> will finally start updating its line of <a class="hidden_link" href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/galaxy-s-ii">Galaxy S II</a> phones to the latest version of <a class="hidden_link" href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/android">Android</a> called <a class="hidden_link" href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/ice-cream-sandwich">Ice Cream Sandwich</a>.</p>
<p>In an <a href="https://www.facebook.com/notes/samsung-mobile/android-40-ice-cream-sandwich-upgrade-for-galaxy-s-ii/390405030989148">announcement on Facebook</a>, Samsung said phones in Europe will get Ice Cream Sandwich first. More markets will get it once carriers approve the update.</p>
<p>After the Galaxy S II update, other Samsung devices such as the Galaxy Note and <a class="hidden_link" href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/galaxy-tab">Galaxy Tab</a> 8.9/10.1 will get Ice Cream Sandwich.</p>
<p>Fair warning though, it could still be months before all those devices actually get the update. By then, we'll probably be talking about Android's&nbsp;<em>next</em> version, Jelly Bean.</p>
<p>It's been four months since <a class="hidden_link" href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/google">Google</a> released Ice Cream Sandwich. Since then, very few devices have received the upgrade. Almost all Android phones sold today still run the old version called <a class="hidden_link" href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/gingerbread">Gingerbread</a>.</p>
<p>Samsung caused a stir in December when it announced <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/samsung-galaxy-s-phones-ice-cream-sandwich-update-2011-12">it would not update its original line of Galaxy S phones to Ice Cream Sandwich</a>, claiming the hardware couldn't handle the new OS.&nbsp;That was despite the fact that Galaxy S phones were still being sold less than a year ago and about 10 million people worldwide own one.</p>
<p>But it looks like Galaxy S owners won't be completely left out. Samsung's <a class="hidden_link" href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/facebook">Facebook</a> post says a "firmware" update is coming to Galaxy S phones that will add a few Ice Cream Sandwich features such as facial recognition and a new photo editor.</p>
<p><strong>Don't Miss: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/samsung-galaxy-note-chart-new-ipad-2012-3">Proof that Android tablets are running out of ways to fight the iPad</a></strong></p><p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/samsung-updating-galaxy-s-ii-phones-to-android-ice-cream-sandwich-2012-3#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/the-google-investor-whats-with-all-the-secret-projects-2012-2THE GOOGLE INVESTOR: What's With All The Secret Projects? (GOOG)http://www.businessinsider.com/the-google-investor-whats-with-all-the-secret-projects-2012-2
Tue, 07 Feb 2012 10:45:13 -0500Heather Leonard
<p><em><strong>The <a class="hidden_link" href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/google">Google</a> Investor</strong> is a daily report from SAI. <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/google-investor-newsletter-2010-2">Sign up here to receive it by email</a></em></p>
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<p><strong><img style="float:right;" src="http://static6.businessinsider.com/image/4eca9d92ecad04e62000003b-403-302/a-bunch-of-googlers-looking-googly.jpg" border="0" alt="A bunch of googlers looking googly" width="403" height="302" /><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/google">GOOG</a> Down With Markets</strong><br />Stocks opened down, but are fighting back, as talks to secure a new bailout for Greece to avoid default continue as well as talks of an <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/citis-buiter-greek-exit-grexit-2012-2">exit from the Eurozone</a>. Shares of GOOG are off with the rest of tech. Investors continue to look for <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/android" target="_blank">Android</a> momentum in the smartphone and tablet markets worldwide; <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/motorola" class="hidden_link">Motorola</a> acquisition approval and integration; regaining ground in China; resurgence of <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/google-tv">Google TV</a> and continued growth of <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/youtube">YouTube</a>; expansion of social network Google+; and progress in other newer initiatives (location-based services, mapping, gaming, daily deals, <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/google-wallet" class="hidden_link">Google Wallet</a>, <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/google-music" class="hidden_link">Google Music</a>, etc.). The stock trades at approximately <a href="https://spreadsheets.google.com/spreadsheet/pub?hl=en&amp;key=0Ak6JroN3wjs9dDAxck1VQXdsejNsNWdWTXJ5Ymc5blE&amp;hl=en&amp;gid=4">11.9x Enterprise Value / EBIT.</a></p>
<p><strong><a href="http://venturebeat.com/2012/02/04/google-hires-a-senior-director-at-apple-for-a-top-secret-project-exclusive/">Google Steals Apple's Quality Control Guy For Secret Project</a> (VentureBeat)</strong><br />Simon Prakash, <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/apple">Apple's</a> former senior director of product integrity, has just been hired by Google to begin work on a "secret project", details of which are currently unknown. Prakash spent 8 years with <a class="hidden_link" href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/apple">Apple</a>, his last role overseeing product quality control across the company's product lines. According to <a class="hidden_link" href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/linkedin">LinkedIn</a>, Prakash was the director of engineering design validation at Cielo Communications and a reliability and FA manager at 3Com before joining Apple. Both Google and Apple are being investigated by the Justice Department for allegedly creating a "no poaching" agreement, <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/google-hires-away-an-apple-executive-for-a-big-secret-project-2012-2">so the timing of the hire may not be coincidental</a>.</p>
<p><strong><a href="http://9to5google.com/2012/02/06/hud-google-glasses-are-real-and-they-are-coming-soon/">HUD Glasses Are Coming Soon</a> (9To5Google)</strong><br />Google's <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/google-sunglasses-2012-2">secret lab has reportedly been hard at work developing glasses with a built-in heads-up display </a>(HUD) on one lens. The glasses will be equipped with &ldquo;hardware near the equivalent of a generation-old <a class="hidden_link" href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/android">Android</a> smartphone,&rdquo; which means we&rsquo;ll likely see a 1GHz processor and internal storage. The glasses will also be capable of voice input and output and will be able to capture photos using a front-facing camera. A user may even be able to navigate through menu items with the tilt of the head. The pilot program for Google&rsquo;s HUD glasses is expected to launch soon. Weird.</p>
<p><strong><a href="http://mashable.com/2012/02/06/google-mystery-entertainment-device/">Google Working On Secret Project, Testing In Employee Homes</a></strong><strong> (<a class="hidden_link" href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/mashable">Mashable</a>)</strong><br />No one is sure what Google has up its sleeve, but the company applied for a Federal Communications Commission experimental license to test an unnamed prototype entertainment device in its employees&rsquo; homes. The device will connect to home electronics through wireless Internet and Bluetooth. Google says the device is still in early stages of development and will be modified after reviewing test results. It could be related to Android@Home, Google&rsquo;s technology to control light switches, alarm clocks and other home appliances through Android devices, or even related to the HUD glasses (above).</p>
<p><strong><a href="http://venturebeat.com/2012/02/06/google-plus-developers/">Google Calling All Developers For Google+</a> (VentureBeat)</strong><br />Google is making a bid for third-party developer interest. According to Google+ developer-relations team lead by Chris Chabot, the new page will be an office-hours-style hangouts and best practices for using the +Platform APIs. So far, the platform consists of read-only APIs and tools for creating user badges. As many developers commented on the Google+ developers page, write APIs &mdash; including <a class="hidden_link" href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/twitter">Twitter</a> and <a class="hidden_link" href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/facebook">Facebook</a> cross-posting features &mdash; are one of the more eagerly anticipated roll-outs yet to come from the Google+.</p>
<p><strong><a href="http://androidandme.com/2012/02/news/google-set-to-enter-next-phase-in-one-gigabit-per-second-broadband-rollout/">Google Rolling Out Next Phase Of Residential Broadband Network</a></strong> <strong>(Android and Me)</strong><br />Google&rsquo;s plans to launch a one-gigabit-per-second residential broadband network has been in the works for nearly two years now. After extensive testing, picking a city and cutting through miles of red tape, Google is finally ready to enter the next phase of development; <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/google-has-started-laying-fiber-for-super-fast-internet-in-kansas-city-2012-2">laying the thousands of miles of cable needed to run their fiber broadband Internet in Kansas City</a>. Once the fiber is set up and the infrastructure is ready to go, Google will begin to bring the service to homes across Kansas City. No specific timeline has been given.</p>
<p><strong><a href="http://www.idc.com/getdoc.jsp?containerId=prUS23299912">Smartphone Shipments Up Over 60% In 2011</a> (IDC)</strong><br />The record sales managed by both Apple and <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/samsung">Samsung</a> during the holiday quarter sent smartphone market growth soaring in late 2011. According to IDC, smartphone shipments grew 54.7% in the fourth quarter driven by Apple&rsquo;s <a class="hidden_link" href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/iphone">iPhone</a> 4S and Samsung&rsquo;s <a class="hidden_link" href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/galaxy-s-ii">Galaxy S II</a> (Android) handsets. Units shipped totaled 157.8 million during the quarter while full-year shipments totaled 491.4 million units, up 61.3% over the prior year.</p>
<p><strong><a href="http://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/167314/online-retail-spend-hits-nearly-50b-in-q4.html">Online Spending Increased 13% Last Year</a> (MediaPost)</strong><br />For the entire fourth quarter, online retail spending reached $49.7 billion, up 14% year-over-year, according to <a class="hidden_link" href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/comscore">comScore</a>. That growth rate represented the ninth consecutive quarter of positive year-over-year growth, not to mention the fifth consecutive quarter of double-digit growth rates. For the entire 2011 year, U.S. retail e-commerce spending reached a record $161.5 billion, a 13% increase from 2010. Good news for Google.</p>
<p><strong><a href="http://www.canalys.com/newsroom/smart-phones-overtake-client-pcs-2011">For The First Time Ever, Smartphones Outsold PCs Last Quarter</a></strong><strong> (Canalys)</strong><br />Quarterly smartphone sales outpaced PC sales in the fourth quarter of 2011. In fact, it wasn't even close. Mobile market research firm <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/for-the-first-time-ever-smartphones-are-outselling-pcs-2012-2">Canalys estimated that 158.5 million smartphones were sold in the last quarter, compared with 120.2 million personal computers</a> (including tablets).</p><p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/the-google-investor-whats-with-all-the-secret-projects-2012-2#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/samsung-says-no-ice-cream-sandwich-upgrade-for-galaxy-s-and-galaxy-tab-owners-2011-12Samsung Refuses To Deliver The Newest Version Of Android To Galaxy S And Tab Owners (GOOG)http://www.businessinsider.com/samsung-says-no-ice-cream-sandwich-upgrade-for-galaxy-s-and-galaxy-tab-owners-2011-12
Fri, 23 Dec 2011 09:09:00 -0500Matt Lynley
<p><img style="float:right;" src="http://static1.businessinsider.com/image/4ef48a6eeab8ea4b0a000042/galaxy-s-4x3.jpg" border="0" alt="galaxy s 4x3" /></p><p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/samsung" class="hidden_link">Samsung</a> won't be rolling out an update to <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/ice-cream-sandwich" class="hidden_link">Ice Cream Sandwich</a>, Google's latest mobile operating system, for the Galaxy S and <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/galaxy-tab" class="hidden_link">Galaxy Tab</a> tablet because the devices don't have enough memory to run both ICS and Samsung's custom TouchWiz skin.</p>
<p>That's a bummer for the roughly 10 million Galaxy S phone owners out there, who might have expected their phones to be powerful enough to run both ICS and TouchWiz. The rival <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/nexus-s" class="hidden_link">Nexus S</a> has the same specs and is receiving an update to ICS already, <a href="http://www.theverge.com/2011/12/23/2657132/samsung-no-ics-upgrade-for-galaxy-s-and-galaxy-tab">The Verge reports</a>.</p><p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/samsung-says-no-ice-cream-sandwich-upgrade-for-galaxy-s-and-galaxy-tab-owners-2011-12#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/samsung-sells-300-million-mobile-handsets-2011-12Samsung Sold More Than 300 Million Mobile Handsets In 2011http://www.businessinsider.com/samsung-sells-300-million-mobile-handsets-2011-12
Mon, 12 Dec 2011 08:52:00 -0500Steve Kovach
<p><img style="float:right;" src="http://static3.businessinsider.com/image/4ecc4c746bb3f7a63a00003a-400-300/samsung-galaxy-s-ii-commercial.jpg" border="0" alt="samsung galaxy s ii commercial" width="400" height="300" /></p><p><a class="hidden_link" href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/samsung">Samsung</a> <a href="http://samsung.co.kr/article.do?cmd=view&amp;numb=3&amp;curPage=1&amp;searchCategory=1&amp;contentId=126972&amp;sortWord=regdate&amp;searchColumn=all&amp;searchWord=&amp;searchCompany=-1&amp;startDate=&amp;endDate=">announced today</a> that it sold more than 300 million mobile handsets this year.</p>
<p>That means only <a class="hidden_link" href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/nokia">Nokia</a> sold more mobile phones worldwide in 2011.</p>
<p>Samsung played up the success of the <a class="hidden_link" href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/galaxy-s-ii">Galaxy S II</a> in its announcement, but it's likely a large majority of the phones sold were cheaper feature phones and basic smartphones.</p><p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/samsung-sells-300-million-mobile-handsets-2011-12#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/lineup-iphone-and-samsung-android-icons-can-you-spot-the-difference-2011-12LINEUP: iPhone And Samsung Android Icons: Can You Spot The Difference? (AAPL)http://www.businessinsider.com/lineup-iphone-and-samsung-android-icons-can-you-spot-the-difference-2011-12
Thu, 01 Dec 2011 13:24:00 -0500Matt Rosoff
<p>Apple's patent and trademark lawsuit against <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/samsung" class="hidden_link">Samsung</a> <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/apple-says-samsung-ripped-off-the-iphone-and-ipad-2011-4">last spring</a> seemed like another chapter in the smartphone battle: everybody seems to be suing everybody else, trying to slow down competitors or extract licensing fees.</p>
<p><img style="float:right;" src="http://static2.businessinsider.com/image/4dadf745ccd1d5aa3f1a0000/samsung-vs-apple-icons.jpg" border="0" alt="Samsung vs Apple icons" style="border: 0pt none;" /></p>
<p>But as former Engadget editor Nilay Patel <a href="http://thisismynext.com/2011/04/19/apple-sues-samsung-analysis/">pointed out</a>, some of the similarities between Samsung's Galaxy line and Apple's <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/iphone" class="hidden_link">iPhone</a> and <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/ipad" class="hidden_link">iPad</a> are so obvious, you'd have to be blind not to see them.</p>
<p>Check out this lineup of icons from Apple (left) and Samsung (right).</p>
<p>Did Samsung really have to use a white phone icon on a green background at exactly the same angle as Apple has been doing since 2007? Why did Samsung choose a sunflower -- of all things -- as its background for the photo icon?</p>
<p>It looks like a blatant lack of imagination at the very least. Apple is calling it trademark infringement.</p>
<p>Apple is also accusing Samsung of other "trade dress" infringements, such as using a box that looks almost identical to the iPhone's (rectangular box, silver lettering, large front-view picture of the product) and four rounded corners.</p>
<p>Taken alone, any one of these claims might seem like a stretch, but when you read them all, Apple seems to have a legitimate gripe: Samsung appears to have made the Galaxy line look as similar to the iPhone and iPad as possible. Apple argues that those similarities confuse customers.</p>
<p>Patel <a href="http://thisismynext.com/2011/04/19/apple-sues-samsung-analysis/">points out</a> that Apple has a history of success in trade dress claims -- it sued a couple of companies in 2000 because they made computers that looked like the iMac, and eventually was able to shut them down.</p>
<p><strong>Now, don't miss: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/samsung-designs-2011-4">Samsung Has Been Copying Everyone Forever, Not Just Apple.</a></strong></p>
<h2><a href="../../android-vs-iphone-the-great-debate-2011-11" target="_blank">Read more opinions on 'THE GREAT DEBATE: Android vs. iPhone' <strong></strong><strong>&rarr;</strong></a></h2>
<p><strong><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/samsung-designs-2011-4"></a></strong></p><p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/lineup-iphone-and-samsung-android-icons-can-you-spot-the-difference-2011-12#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/samsung-galaxy-s-ii-commercial-2011-11Samsung Is Going Right For Apple Fanboys' Jugular With Its Latest Commercialhttp://www.businessinsider.com/samsung-galaxy-s-ii-commercial-2011-11
Tue, 22 Nov 2011 20:37:18 -0500Steve Kovach
<p>I got a good laugh out of this one.</p>
<p><a class="hidden_link" href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/samsung">Samsung</a> is kicking off a new ad campaign this week, directly taking a swipe at <a class="hidden_link" href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/apple">Apple</a> fanboys and the <a class="hidden_link" href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/iphone">iPhone</a> and promoting its flagship <a class="hidden_link" href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/galaxy-s-ii">Galaxy S II</a> line of <a class="hidden_link" href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/android">Android</a> phones.</p>
<p>I mostly use Apple gear, including an iPhone, and even I thought the ad was clever.</p>
<p>It's an interesting take on a smartphone campaign. Instead of touting specs and features, Samsung is going right for Apple's jugular, mocking the fanboy culture while saying "hey, there are other great smartphones out there too."</p>
<p>It's a ballsy move. And it's sure to attract first time smartphone buyers as opposed to those already married to their iPhones.</p>
<p>I got to chat with two Samsung execs behind the new campaign, Todd Pendleton, Samsung's Chief Marketing Officer, and Brian Wallace, Samsung's VP of Strategic Marketing, about why the company decided to take this route with the new campaign.</p>
<p>Before I get into what they said, you really should watch the ad first:</p>
<p><iframe width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/FVkH9Hgvda4"></iframe></p>
<p>More ads are coming soon. They'll hit Samsung Mobile's <a class="hidden_link" href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/facebook">Facebook</a> page first and start airing with football games on Thanksgiving day.</p>
<p>Now for what drove the campaign. Here's my Q&amp;A with Pendleton and Wallace:</p>
<p><strong>BI: </strong>Start off with the history of this new campaign. <a class="hidden_link" href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/where">Where</a> did the idea come from?</p>
<p><strong>Pendleton: </strong>We've already done a great job at promoting the Galaxy S II from Samsung's point of view. Now we want to show the voice of the consumer and play into the conversations and debate going on in a real way.</p>
<p><strong>BI: </strong>What about the Galaxy Nexus? Isn't that supposed to be your flagship phone this year?</p>
<p><strong>Pendleton: </strong>They're both a big thing. Right now the GSII is the main lead product. GSII is a great product for us and we feel it's the best smartphone on the market today. There will be future work on the Galaxy Nexus next year.<br /><br /><strong>BI: </strong>Is the goal of the campaign to get iPhone users to switch or pull in people buying a smartphone for the first time?</p>
<p><strong>Wallace: </strong>We're not targeting fanboys. We're not going to convert them. We're using them as a foil to target current Android users upgrading to a new phone and people entering the smartphone market for the first time.<br /><br /><strong>BI: </strong>Why is the focus more on poking fun at the Apple culture as opposed to what sets the Galaxy S II apart from the iPhone?<br /><br /><strong>Pendleton: </strong>I don't think it's poking fun. We wanted everyone to be aware of the GSII. Everyone knows about the lines for the iPhone launches. We want to use that as a device to show that the next big thing is already here.</p>
<p><strong>Wallace: </strong>It's not so much as making fun as Apple culture. It's people not thinking rationally on this. They're allowing a brand to define who they are. That's not exclusive to Apple, either.</p>
<p><strong>BI: </strong>Are you worried about alienating iPhone owners who may want to switch?</p>
<p><strong>Pendleton: </strong>No, I think this is done with a wink and a smile. Just from initial reactions, even Apple owners and lovers are talking about this in a positive way. We're seeing positive quotes from people out there who may no be willing to buy our product.</p>
<p><strong>BI: </strong>Why do you keep making the "4G" claim in the ad? The iPhone 4S on AT&amp;T runs on the carrier's HSPA+ "4G" network, just like the Galaxy S II does.</p>
<p><strong>Wallace: </strong>Yes, we thought of that. There's a lack of clear definition about what <a class="hidden_link" href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/4g">4G</a> is. When you go to technical speed comparisons [between the iPhone 4S and Galaxy S II], those speak for themselves. We clearly have faster networks than the iPhone.</p>
<p>[<em>Editor's note: There are a lot of variables to "4G" data speeds. Take that claim with a grain of salt</em>]<br /><br /><strong>BI: </strong>Is this the only video in the campaign or is there more?</p>
<p><strong>Wallace: </strong>There'll be a 90 second version launching tomorrow [November 23] and a series of three 30 second spots and three 15 second spots. All will launch on Facebook first. The shorter spots go into individual storylines of the characters.</p><p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/samsung-galaxy-s-ii-commercial-2011-11#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/samsung-galaxy-s-ii-skyrocket-review-2011-11The Samsung Galaxy S II Skyrocket Just Rules [REVIEW] (T)http://www.businessinsider.com/samsung-galaxy-s-ii-skyrocket-review-2011-11
Wed, 09 Nov 2011 14:59:00 -0500Dylan Love
<p><img style="float:right;" src="http://static6.businessinsider.com/image/4ebad9c2eab8eac756000028/galaxy-s-ii.jpg" border="0" alt="galaxy s ii" /></p><p>The <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/galaxy-s-ii" class="hidden_link">Galaxy S II</a> has been out for almost two months, but it steadily gathered attention once it was announced in February. <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/samsung" class="hidden_link">Samsung</a> touted it as thinner, faster, and just generally <em>cooler </em>than any other phone out there.</p>
<p>After spending three days with the phone in my pocket, I'm inclined to think that it absolutely lives up to the hype.</p>
<p>This time I tested the Galaxy S II Skyrocket, a new model of the phone that is one of the first to run on AT&amp;T's new LTE network.</p>
<p>But other than a faster processor, larger screen, and LTE, not much has changed from the <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/samsung-galaxy-s-ii-review-att-2011-9">original AT&amp;T model of the Galaxy S II</a>.</p>
<p>Keep reading for my flash review of Samsung's zippiest new phone on AT&amp;T.</p>
<h2>The Hardware</h2>
<p>Samsung clearly spent a lot of time optimizing the form factor -- this thing is wonderfully thin without feeling fragile and it manages to be big enough to comfortably text or watch a movie as well.</p>
<p>The Skyrocket is slightly larger than the original AT&amp;T GSII. It feels almost exactly like the <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/t-mobile-samsung-galaxy-s-ii-review-2011-10">Galaxy S II T-Mobile adopted</a>.</p>
<p>The camera is more than capable for your casual point-and-shoot needs -- it has an embedded flash and the camera's finished images weigh in at a very agreeable 8 megapixels. I was pleasantly surprised when I found that the volume rocker buttons adjust the camera's digital zoom, too.</p>
<p>While I never had cause to use the front-facing camera, you should know that it's there for your video chat apps and for taking endless self-portraits.</p>
<p>I have one big complaint about the hardware -- only the power button will wake up the phone, and it's a little small in my opinion. I'd love to be able to use the volume buttons too.</p>
<p>Since AT&amp;T has yet to launch LTE in NYC, I didn't have an opportunity to check out what's supposed to be the Skyrocket's real killer feature. From what I've heard though, you should be able to get download speeds up to 10 Mbps if you live in a city with LTE.</p>
<h2>Same Old Android</h2>
<p>I didn't spend too much time customizing the phone to my tastes, but know that <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/android" class="hidden_link">Android</a> allows for nearly endless tweaking and adjusting.</p>
<p>The phone comes with all the basic apps you'd expect -- email, mapping, <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/" class="hidden_link">videos</a>, and music. But I was especially blown away by the navigation app. It will easily replace the TomTom GPS unit in your car.</p>
<p>But that's only scratching the surface. The real gold comes from the Android Market, where you add even more utilities (and a few games as well, probably).</p>
<h2>Should You Buy It?</h2>
<p>As far as I can tell, this is easily one of the best Android phones available on AT&amp;T. (The new <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/htc-vivid-hands-on-photos-2011-11">HTC Vivid</a>, also powered by LTE, is a close contender too.) If you've ruled out <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/ios" class="hidden_link">iOS</a>, then the Galaxy S II is your phone. It feels good in your hand, it has a nice clear screen, and it'll tackle whatever task you throw at it.</p><h3>The screen is huge and the body is thin</h3>
<img src="http://static1.businessinsider.com/image/4ebad72cecad04c167000032-400-300/the-screen-is-huge-and-the-body-is-thin.jpg" alt="" />
<br/><br/><h3>It definitely feels great in your hand</h3>
<img src="http://static6.businessinsider.com/image/4ebad72b6bb3f7586d000018-400-300/it-definitely-feels-great-in-your-hand.jpg" alt="" />
<br/><br/><h3>The collection of default apps -- just look at that screen!</h3>
<img src="http://static4.businessinsider.com/image/4ebad72b6bb3f70f69000030-400-300/the-collection-of-default-apps-just-look-at-that-screen.jpg" alt="" />
<br/><br/><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/samsung-galaxy-s-ii-skyrocket-review-2011-11#the-only-way-to-wake-up-the-phone-is-by-pressing-this-tiny-power-button-4">See the rest of the story at Business Insider</a> http://www.businessinsider.com/galaxy-s2-wins-t3-2011-10Samsung Galaxy S II Wins Best In Showhttp://www.businessinsider.com/galaxy-s2-wins-t3-2011-10
Tue, 11 Oct 2011 08:08:00 -0400Dylan Love
<p><img style="float:right;" src="http://static2.businessinsider.com/image/4e861d4a69bedda615000001/samsung-galaxy-s-ii-att.jpg" border="0" alt="samsung galaxy s ii AT&amp;T" /></p><p>In another strange turn in the troubled relationship between <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/samsung" class="hidden_link">Samsung</a> and <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/apple" class="hidden_link">Apple</a>, the Galaxy S2 was voted best smartphone of the year at the T3 Awards show, <a href="http://www.tgdaily.com/mobility-brief/58975-galaxy-s2-not-iphone-wins-2011-smartphone-award">reports TG Daily</a>.</p>
<p>This was quite the upset -- the <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/iphone-4" class="hidden_link">iPhone 4</a> had set a one-day sales record and was the last phone to launch while <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/steve-jobs" class="hidden_link">Steve Jobs</a> was CEO of Apple. It was certainly the favorite to win.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/samsung-galaxy-s-ii-review-2011-7"><strong>Check out our review of the Galaxy S2 to see some of the features that helped it beat iPhone 4 &gt;</strong></a></p><p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/galaxy-s2-wins-t3-2011-10#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/t-mobile-samsung-galaxy-s-ii-review-2011-10If You're Stuck On T-Mobile, The Galaxy S II Is Your Only Hope [REVIEW] (DT)http://www.businessinsider.com/t-mobile-samsung-galaxy-s-ii-review-2011-10
Mon, 10 Oct 2011 16:05:34 -0400Steve Kovach
<p><img style="float:right;" src="http://static2.businessinsider.com/image/4e934e5deab8ea7d5d00001f/samsung-galaxy-s-ii-t-mobile.jpg" border="0" alt="samsung galaxy s ii t-mobile" /></p><p>This is going to be the lightning review to end all lightning reviews.</p>
<p>It's now my <em>third</em> time reviewing Samsung's <a class="hidden_link" href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/galaxy-s-ii">Galaxy S II</a>. Each model has slightly tweaked specs, but the core experience is the same.</p>
<p>Brilliant display. <a class="hidden_link" href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/4g">4G</a>. Samsung's TouchWiz skin. Helpful widgets. Annoying crapware from the carriers.</p>
<p>You get the idea.</p>
<p>If you want more details, you should read my reviews of the <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/samsung-galaxy-s-ii-review-2011-7">international Galaxy S II</a> and <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/samsung-epic-touch-4g-review-2011-9">Sprint's Galaxy S II</a>. My colleague Ellis Hamburger wrote up his <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/samsung-galaxy-s-ii-review-att-2011-9">review of the AT&amp;T model</a>.</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;"><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/t-mobile-samsung-galaxy-s-ii-review-2011-10/major-bonus-t-mobiles-galaxy-s-ii-comes-preloaded-with-netflix-1"><strong>Click here to skip to huge photos of the Galaxy S II &gt;</strong></a></p>
<p>For now, we'll stick with the <a class="hidden_link" href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/t-mobile">T-Mobile</a> model, which is perhaps the most important phone right now for the carrier's customers.</p>
<p>I only spent the weekend with T-Mobile's Galaxy S II, and to be honest, there isn't much more to say beyond what I did in the reviews linked above. It's mostly the same phone.</p>
<h2>The Good</h2>
<p>T-Mobile is now the only major U.S. carrier that doesn't offer the <a class="hidden_link" href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/iphone">iPhone</a>. (Unless you buy an unlocked iPhone at the full, unsubsidized price.) That means if you're married to your T-Mobile subscription, you'll have to go for second best.</p>
<p>But that doesn't mean the Galaxy S II is a poor substitute. I really do like this phone. And T-Mobile's 4G network is just as fast as Sprint's. I was able to get download speeds that were a lot faster than my AT&amp;T 3G connection on my iPhone. That's a big plus.</p>
<p>The processor is also a bit more zippy than the other Galaxy S II models, clocking in at 1.5 GHz. (Dual-core.) I didn't notice much of a difference on my end though. Apps and graphics were plenty snappy. You also get an <a class="hidden_link" href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/nfc">NFC</a> chip, which will be useful once <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/what-is-google-wallet-2011-9">Google Wallet</a> expands to other phones.</p>
<h2>The Bad</h2>
<p>There seems to be more crapware on T-Mobile's Galaxy S II than any of the other models. T-Mobile TV, <a class="hidden_link" href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/qik">Qik</a>, some task manager widgets, and a T-Mobile App Store. It all gets in the way of Samsung's TouchWiz skin that already has its own widgets, media store, etc. I wish T-Mobile stuck with just one skin.</p>
<p>The price is also pretty hefty: $230 with a two-year contract. Compare that to the $200 price tag on the other to Galaxy S II models and the iPhone 4S.</p>
<h2>Should You Buy It?</h2>
<p>If you're stuck on T-Mobile and don't have the means to buy an unlocked iPhone 4S, the Galaxy S II is probably the best smartphone on the carrier. Assuming you don't mind spending a $30 premium over the competition.</p>
<p>However, if you can break away from T-Mobile, there are much better options on other carriers with the iPhone 4S on <a class="hidden_link" href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/sprint">Sprint</a>, AT&amp;T, and <a class="hidden_link" href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/verizon">Verizon</a> or the impending Nexus Prime.</p><h3>Major bonus: T-Mobile's Galaxy S II comes preloaded with Netflix</h3>
<img src="http://static6.businessinsider.com/image/4e933bc06bb3f7594f00003a-400-300/major-bonus-t-mobiles-galaxy-s-ii-comes-preloaded-with-netflix.jpg" alt="" />
<br/><br/><h3>Samsung went with the same 4.5-inch screen that's on many of its high-end smartphones now</h3>
<img src="http://static2.businessinsider.com/image/4e933b9eecad04a76300001f-400-300/samsung-went-with-the-same-45-inch-screen-thats-on-many-of-its-high-end-smartphones-now.jpg" alt="" />
<br/><br/><h3>Notice the disclaimer sticker from Qualcomm: This isn't a true 4G phone</h3>
<img src="http://static4.businessinsider.com/image/4e933bc46bb3f7b353000022-400-300/notice-the-disclaimer-sticker-from-qualcomm-this-isnt-a-true-4g-phone.jpg" alt="" />
<br/><br/><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/t-mobile-samsung-galaxy-s-ii-review-2011-10#that-may-look-like-a-metal-band-surrounding-the-phone-but-its-really-just-shiny-plastic-4">See the rest of the story at Business Insider</a> http://www.businessinsider.com/att-galaxy-s-ii-security-flaw-2011-9There's A Major Security Flaw In Samsung's Galaxy S II That Lets Anyone Access Your Phone (T)http://www.businessinsider.com/att-galaxy-s-ii-security-flaw-2011-9
Fri, 30 Sep 2011 20:22:00 -0400Steve Kovach
<p><img style="float:right;" src="http://static2.businessinsider.com/image/4e861d4a69bedda615000001/samsung-galaxy-s-ii-att.jpg" border="0" alt="samsung galaxy s ii AT&amp;T" /></p><p>Remember that great AT&amp;T model of the <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/galaxy-s-ii" class="hidden_link">Galaxy S II</a> we reviewed this week?</p>
<p>Turns out there's a pretty big security flaw with it. <a href="http://www.bgr.com/2011/09/30/major-security-flaw-lets-anyone-bypass-att-samsung-galaxy-s-ii-security-video/">BGR</a> found that if you have a lock screen set up, it can be easily bypassed.</p>
<p>All you have to do is wake the phone up to the lock screen, let the display shut off on its own, then wake the phone up again. The lock screen will be gone and you can access the entire phone, no problem.</p>
<p>We tried it with our Galaxy S II and we can assure you the problem is very real.</p>
<p>Luckily, we did not notice the flaw in the <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/sprint" class="hidden_link">Sprint</a> version of the Galaxy S II.</p>
<p>AT&amp;T launches the phone on October 2, so we hope a software fix can be pushed out before then.</p>
<p><strong>UPDATE: </strong><a class="hidden_link" href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/samsung">Samsung</a> and AT&amp;T both gave us a statement on the security bug, including a way to temporarily fix it until they can issue a software update. Here's the statement:</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">Samsung and AT&amp;T are aware of the user interface issue on the Galaxy S II with AT&amp;T. Currently, when using a security screen lock on the device, the default setting is for a screen timeout. If a user presses the power button on the device after the timeout period it will always require a password. If a user presses the power button on the phone before the timeout period, the device requests a password &ndash; but the password is not actually necessary to unlock it.<br />&nbsp;<br />Samsung and AT&amp;T are investigating a permanent solution. In the meantime, owners of the Galaxy S II can remedy the situation by re-setting their time-out screen to the &ldquo;immediately&rdquo; setting. This is done by going to the Settings-&gt;Location and Security-&gt;Screen unlock settings-&gt;Timeout-&gt;Immediately.</p><p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/att-galaxy-s-ii-security-flaw-2011-9#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/samsung-galaxy-s-ii-review-att-2011-9The Samsung Galaxy S II Is Nearly Perfect, The Best Android You Can Buy On AT&T [REVIEW] (T)http://www.businessinsider.com/samsung-galaxy-s-ii-review-att-2011-9
Thu, 29 Sep 2011 15:20:00 -0400Ellis Hamburger
<p><img style="float:right;" src="http://static5.businessinsider.com/image/4e84b65a6bb3f7c36f000035/galaxy-s-ii-in-hand-title-image.jpg" border="0" alt="galaxy s ii in hand title image" /></p><p>We've seen <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/samsung-galaxy-s-ii-review-2011-7">several iterations</a> of Samsung's new flagship <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/galaxy-s-ii" class="hidden_link">Galaxy S II</a> phones. Now we have our hands on the AT&amp;T version.</p>
<p><strong>It's not that much different from the others, so for a full review of the Galaxy S II platform, check out&nbsp;<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/samsung-galaxy-s-ii-review-2011-7">Steve Kovach's review</a>.</strong></p>
<p>But, this Galaxy S II might edge out the others.</p>
<p>So what's different about the AT&amp;T Galaxy S II?</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;"><strong><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/samsung-galaxy-s-ii-review-att-2011-9/heres-the-galaxy-s-ii-on-att-featuring-a-vibrant-43-inch-super-amoled-plus-display-1" target="_blank">Click here to check out huge pictures of AT&amp;T's Galaxy S II &gt;</a></strong></p>
<p>First off, it runs on AT&amp;T's HSPA+ <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/4g" class="hidden_link">4G</a> network (not AT&amp;T's LTE network that it just began rolling out).</p>
<p>And it's a bit different cosmetically, for one. The screen on the Galaxy S II is 4.3 inches, unlike its brothers on <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/sprint" class="hidden_link">Sprint</a> and <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/t-mobile" class="hidden_link">T-Mobile</a> that have gargantuan 4.5-inch screens. This phone's also a touch thinner.</p>
<p>But, it's still the same old blasphemously beautiful Super AMOLED Plus display.</p>
<p>On the inside, the AT&amp;T Galaxy S II has a 1.2 Ghz dual-core Exynos processor, which is a bit faster than the dual-core Tegra 2 processors in many of the top-tier Androids today.</p>
<p>One unique and gimmicky new feature on the Galaxy S II for AT&amp;T are "motion" features, which allow you to put two thumbs on the screen, then tilt the phone to zoom in/out of pictures, web pages, and more. It was a nuisance so we turned it off.</p>
<h2>Is This The Best Android Phone On AT&amp;T?</h2>
<p>This is really the only question that matters if you're in the market for an <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/android" class="hidden_link">Android</a> phone on AT&amp;T right now.</p>
<p>The first thing to mention is that none of AT&amp;T's "4G" HSPA+ phones get stellar connection speeds, so using that as a comparison point is irrelevant. We got 1-1.5 Mbps download speeds in our tests, which is a mere fraction of Verizon's 4G network.</p>
<p>The calling quality is decent (if the earpiece isn't a little soft), and battery life was pretty good. The device makes it a few days on standby, and barely makes it through a full day under normal use.</p>
<p>The Galaxy S II on AT&amp;T fits right in under the wing of the massive <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/samsung-infuse-4g" class="hidden_link">Samsung Infuse 4G</a>, a nearly identical-looking phone but with a 4.5-inch screen and a 1.3 MP front facing camera (vs. the Galaxy's 2MP camera).</p>
<p>Unlike the Infuse 4G, the Galaxy S II runs Samsung's TouchWiz 4.0 Android skin on a brand new dual-core processor, atop Android 2.3.4 <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/gingerbread" class="hidden_link">Gingerbread</a>.</p>
<p>The Infuse runs TouchWiz 3.0 on a single-core Hummingbird processor atop Android 2.2 <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/froyo" class="hidden_link">Froyo</a>.</p>
<p>There's also the <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/htc" class="hidden_link">HTC</a> Inspire 4G, which runs a slower single-core processor, shoots video in 720p (vs. 1080p on the Galaxy S II), and&nbsp;</p>
<p>So is the Galaxy S II the best Android phone on AT&amp;T?</p>
<p>No doubt about it. It's an amazing deal for $199.99, especially considering it comes with 16GB of storage built in.</p>
<p>The Galaxy S II will go on sale October 2nd for <a href="http://www.att.com/shop/wireless/devices/samsung-galaxy-s2.jsp#fbid=Eg4-4rM6Txm">$199.99</a>.</p><h3>Here's the Galaxy S II on AT&T, featuring a vibrant 4.3-inch Super AMOLED Plus display.</h3>
<img src="http://static1.businessinsider.com/image/4e84af6f69bedd392d000013-400-300/heres-the-galaxy-s-ii-on-att-featuring-a-vibrant-43-inch-super-amoled-plus-display.jpg" alt="" />
<br/><br/><h3>The phone feels nice to hold, but can be a bit slippery because of how big and flat it is. Reaching the notifications bar with your thumb can also be a stretch.</h3>
<img src="http://static5.businessinsider.com/image/4e84afa0ecad04bb73000017-400-300/the-phone-feels-nice-to-hold-but-can-be-a-bit-slippery-because-of-how-big-and-flat-it-is-reaching-the-notifications-bar-with-your-thumb-can-also-be-a-stretch.jpg" alt="" />
<br/><br/><h3>The Galaxy S II's screen is arguably the brightest screen, but the iPhone 4's screen is still sharper.</h3>
<img src="http://static2.businessinsider.com/image/4e84adfb69beddf83a000006-400-300/the-galaxy-s-iis-screen-is-arguably-the-brightest-screen-but-the-iphone-4s-screen-is-still-sharper.jpg" alt="" />
<br/><br/><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/samsung-galaxy-s-ii-review-att-2011-9#heres-a-43-inch-screen-left-up-against-a-4-inch-screen-right-the-screen-size-makes-the-galaxy-s-ii-a-bit-cumbersome-4">See the rest of the story at Business Insider</a> http://www.businessinsider.com/samsung-and-t-mobile-announce-galaxy-s-ii-launch-2011-9Samsung's Galaxy S II For T-Mobile Has The Most Souped Up Specs Yet, But It'll Cost You (DT)http://www.businessinsider.com/samsung-and-t-mobile-announce-galaxy-s-ii-launch-2011-9
Mon, 26 Sep 2011 15:34:10 -0400Steve Kovach
<p><img style="float:right;" src="http://static4.businessinsider.com/image/4e54f6b76bb3f76f5700003f/samsung-galaxy-s-ii.jpg" border="0" alt="samsung galaxy s ii" /></p><p>Samsung's <a class="hidden_link" href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/galaxy-s-ii">Galaxy S II</a> will launch on October 12 for $229, the company announced today.</p>
<p>That extra $30 (other Galaxy S II models cost $199) helps pay for some impressive specs under the hood.</p>
<p>The <a class="hidden_link" href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/t-mobile">T-Mobile</a> model of the Galaxy S II will have a 1.5 GHz dual-core processor, making it one of the most powerful smartphones out there. It'll also have a <a class="hidden_link" href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/nfc">NFC</a> chip that can be used with mobile payment apps.</p>
<p>It will also take advantage of T-Mobile newly-revamped <a class="hidden_link" href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/4g">4G</a> network, which is about as fast as Verizon's 4G LTE offering.</p>
<p>You'll need a two-year contract plus a $50 mail-in rebate to get the Galaxy S II for $230. But since it looks less and less likely that the <a class="hidden_link" href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/iphone-5">iPhone 5</a> will launch on T-Mobile, that price may be worth it.</p><p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/samsung-and-t-mobile-announce-galaxy-s-ii-launch-2011-9#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/the-apple-investor-sept-26-2011-9THE APPLE INVESTOR: Apple Closed The Quarter And The Estimate Spread Is Massive (AAPL)http://www.businessinsider.com/the-apple-investor-sept-26-2011-9
Mon, 26 Sep 2011 10:42:59 -0400Heather Leonard
<p><em><strong>The <a class="hidden_link" href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/apple">Apple</a> Investor</strong> is a daily report from SAI. <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/apple-investor-newsletter-2010-2">Sign up here to receive it by email</a>.</em></p>
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<p><strong><img style="float:right;" src="http://static3.businessinsider.com/image/4d6bca5a4bd7c8980a0a0000-398-298/tim-cook.jpg" border="0" alt="tim cook" width="398" height="298" /><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/apple">AAPL</a> Off Against The Grain&nbsp; <br /></strong>Wall Street is moving higher on optimism over the weekend for measures to help ease Europe's debt crisis. Shares of AAPL are off (as is the tech tape) after the stock has had a good run over the last few weeks. Catalysts include the launch of the <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/iphone-5" class="hidden_link">iPhone 5</a> in the next few weeks; update of the <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/ipad-3-retina-display-2011-7"><span class="hidden_link">iPad</span></a> likely in the spring of 2012; continued growth of the Mac business line; mobile adoption in China and other emerging markets; <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/icloud">iCloud</a> / <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/ios" class="hidden_link">iOS</a> 5 rollout and adoption; the continued evolution and next generation of <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/apple-tv">Apple TV</a> (see below); and new platforms such as mobile advertising (iAd), books / publishing and social (<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/ping">Ping</a>). Shares of <span class="hidden_link"><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/apple" class="hidden_link">Apple</a></span> trade at <a href="https://spreadsheets.google.com/spreadsheet/pub?hl=en_US&amp;key=0Ak6JroN3wjs9dENhY2lvRWtZZy1DYmxFNTBoMFpVTnc&amp;hl=en_US&amp;gid=5">10.3x Enterprise Value / Trailing Twelve Months Free Cash Flow</a> (including long-term marketable securities).</p>
<p><strong><a href="http://tech.fortune.cnn.com/2011/09/25/apples-q4-2011-a-tale-of-three-wildly-different-estimates">A Tale Of Three Estimates: Apple's Fiscal Fourth Quarter Is Up For Grabs</a> (Fortune)</strong><br />Apple's fourth fiscal quarter of 2011 ended Saturday, and depending whose estimates you believe, it was either a ho-hum quarter or a record-smasher:</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>The company's guidance:</strong> Earnings per share of $5.50 on sales of $25 billion</li>
<li><strong>The consensus of 42 professional analysts:</strong> Earnings of $7.10 on sales of $28.99 billion</li>
<li><strong>The consensus of 7 amateur analysts:</strong> Earnings of $9.20 on sales of $34.36 billion</li>
</ul>
<p>No doubt estimates will change the next few weeks as analysts try to gather data points. We'll know for certain mid-October when the company announces quarterly results.</p>
<p><strong><a href="http://allthingsd.com/20110921/apple-to-hold-special-event-on-october-4/">Rumor Of The Day: Tim Cook To Unveil iPhone At Apple Campus On Oct 4</a> (All <a class="hidden_link" href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/things">Things</a> Digital)</strong><br />According to sources, CEO <span class="hidden_link"><a class="hidden_link" href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/tim-cook">Tim Cook</a></span> will reveal the iPhone 5 at an event held on Apple's campus on October 4th. Not at one of the larger, outside venues Apple has used in the past. No reason was given for why Apple is keeping it in-house. While the iPhone 5 is a much-anticipated handset, the event itself has a lot more importance for Apple than many previous ones. It will be newly installed CEO Tim Cook&rsquo;s first big product introduction, and the place where the public will get a first lengthy impression of him that may well set the tone for his new role.</p>
<p><strong><a href="http://betanews.com/2011/09/25/not-everyone-is-waiting-for-iphone-5-samsung-galaxy-s-ii-sales-top-10-million/">Not Everyone Is Waiting For The iPhone 5</a> (betanews)</strong><br /><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/samsung">Samsung</a> has sold 10 million units of its <a class="hidden_link" href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/galaxy-s-ii">Galaxy S II</a> smartphones worldwide, including 5 million in just the last two months. No one is sure if that's sales-in or sales-out, but impressive numbers regardless. The top <a class="hidden_link" href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/google">Google</a> <a class="hidden_link" href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/android">Android</a> handset OEM, which is locked in patent infringement suits with Apple in court over its Android handsets and tablets, began selling this model in April. The figure beats the time for the original Galaxy S, which took two months longer to hit the same amount. But, that's <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/samsung-sells-10-million-samsung-galaxy-s-ii-2011-9">hardly a treat to the iPhone</a>.</p>
<p><strong><a href="http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/11/09/23/amazon_invites_press_to_sept_28_event_for_anticipated_tablet_reveal.html">Amazon Set To Launch Tablet This Week</a> (AppleInsider)</strong><br /><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/amazon">Amazon</a> sent out invitations to members of the press for a media event scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 28. The retailer is expected, but not confirmed, to debut a new touchscreen tablet that aims to compete with the iPad. The device will reportedly cost $250 and sport a 7-inch color touchscreen while running a customized build of the Google Android mobile operating system.</p>
<p><strong>Long Lines In For China Grand Openings This Weekend (Various)</strong><br />Not surprising:</p>
<ul>
<li><strong><a href="http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/story/2011-09-23/hong-kong-apple-store/50533646/1?csp=34tech">Hong Kong</a> (USA Today):</strong> Apple opened its long-awaited first store in Hong Kong on Saturday, with thousands of fans of the computer and gadget maker pouring in on the first day. Some Apple enthusiasts had camped out for nearly two days to secure a place at the head of the line and be among the first to walk through the doors of the new store.</li>
<li><strong><a href="http://www.tuaw.com/2011/09/23/huge-crowds-attend-shanghai-apple-store-grand-opening/">Shanghai</a> (TUAW):</strong> Apple's store in Shanghai opened on Friday. The store's 300 employees were greeted by a crowd of over 500 people on hand for the grand opening. Located on the busy Nanjing road, the store is China's fifth Apple store and its largest. It occupies five stories of retail space and has an expected foot traffic of 40,000 customers each day.</li>
</ul>
<p>Now if they can just squash the underground network of fakes.</p>
<p><strong><a href="http://9to5mac.com/2011/09/21/google-23rds-of-our-mobile-search-comes-from-apples-ios/">iOS Dominates Mobile Search Says Google</a> (<a class="hidden_link" href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/gizmodo">Gizmodo</a>)</strong><br />While Google continues to crow about Android market share, it's got to be pretty embarrassing for them to testify under oath that iOS owns their mobile search traffic. Former FTC official, and new Google employee, Susan Creighton, testified under oath that two-thirds of mobile search comes from Apple iOS devices. That&rsquo;s pretty interesting considering the share of Android devices in the market.</p>
<p><strong><a href="http://seekingalpha.com/article/295771-apple-a-growing-shelter-from-the-storm">Daily Trader: Is Apple A Safe Haven In The Growing Storm?</a> (Seeking Alpha)</strong><br />Nothing is a sure thing and Apple is a business that has risks. But in these volatile markets, Apple still has growth and is inexpensive. While some investors might seek shelter in high dividend paying stocks (and this strategy makes perfect sense), Apple is great because if it goes down in sympathy with a market sell off, investors can always buy more. Ultimately, it has too much growth to stay at these levels for long.</p><p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/the-apple-investor-sept-26-2011-9#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/samsung-sells-10-million-samsung-galaxy-s-ii-2011-9Samsung Sells 10 Million Galaxy S II Phones, But That's Hardly A Threat To The iPhonehttp://www.businessinsider.com/samsung-sells-10-million-samsung-galaxy-s-ii-2011-9
Sun, 25 Sep 2011 12:28:00 -0400Steve Kovach
<p><img style="float:right;" src="http://static4.businessinsider.com/image/4e6e5e40ecad04b50500001a/samsung-epic-4g-touch.jpg" border="0" alt="samsung epic 4g touch" /></p><p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/samsung" class="hidden_link">Samsung</a> announced today that it has sold 10 million <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/galaxy-s-ii" class="hidden_link">Galaxy S II</a> smartphones worldwide in five months.</p>
<p>While that's nowhere close to the amount of iPhones sold (<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/apple" class="hidden_link">Apple</a> ships more than 20 million iPhones every three months), it's still very impressive for a single <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/android" class="hidden_link">Android</a> phone model.</p>
<p>That number will likely grow a lot now that the Galaxy S II is available in the U.S. It's already available on <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/samsung-epic-touch-4g-review-2011-9">Sprint</a>, and will arrive on AT&amp;T on October 2. <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/t-mobile" class="hidden_link">T-Mobile</a> should announce a launch date very soon.</p>
<p>Still, the competition is only going to get tougher once Apple <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/apples-big-iphone-5-event-will-be-held-on-its-campus-2011-9">announces the iPhone 5 on October 4</a>.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/samsung-epic-touch-4g-review-2011-9"><strong>Don't miss our review of Sprint's Galaxy S II model &gt;</strong></a></p><p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/samsung-sells-10-million-samsung-galaxy-s-ii-2011-9#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/samsung-galaxy-s-ii-launches-on-att-october-2-for-199-2011-9AT&T Will Get Samsung's Galaxy S II On October 2, Beating The iPhone 5 By Two Days (T)http://www.businessinsider.com/samsung-galaxy-s-ii-launches-on-att-october-2-for-199-2011-9
Wed, 21 Sep 2011 12:00:00 -0400Steve Kovach
<p><img style="float:right;" src="http://static4.businessinsider.com/image/4e0cc1a24bd7c808740d0000/galaxy-s-ii.jpg" border="0" alt="galaxy s ii" /></p><p>AT&amp;T <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ATT/posts/10150324276733909">announced today</a> that it will launch the <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/samsung" class="hidden_link">Samsung</a> <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/galaxy-s-ii" class="hidden_link">Galaxy S II</a> on October 2 for $199.99 on contract.</p>
<p>The Galaxy S II already launched last week on <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/sprint" class="hidden_link">Sprint</a> (<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/samsung-epic-touch-4g-review-2011-9"><strong>click here for our review</strong></a>) and we're expecting to hear an announcement from <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/t-mobile" class="hidden_link">T-Mobile</a> any day now.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p><p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/samsung-galaxy-s-ii-launches-on-att-october-2-for-199-2011-9#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/samsung-epic-touch-4g-review-2011-9Here's Samsung's Biggest Threat To The iPhone Yet -- At Least For The Next Few Weeks [REVIEW] (S)http://www.businessinsider.com/samsung-epic-touch-4g-review-2011-9
Fri, 16 Sep 2011 11:36:00 -0400Steve Kovach
<p>I'm going to warn you right now. This review is going to be kind of short.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Why?</p>
<p>Because I've pretty much reviewed <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/samsung-galaxy-s-ii-review-2011-7">Samsung's Epic Touch 4G before</a>. It's the first <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/galaxy-s-ii" class="hidden_link">Galaxy S II</a> model to hit the U.S. after months of delays. It's pretty much the same phone we've been drooling over since its MWC debut in March. (Save for a few nice improvements.)</p>
<p>But the Epic Touch is an important phone. It, along with the other Galaxy S II models launching soon on AT&amp;T and <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/t-mobile" class="hidden_link">T-Mobile</a>, represent Samsung's best effort against whatever <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/apple" class="hidden_link">Apple</a> comes up with for the <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/iphone-5" class="hidden_link">iPhone 5</a>.</p>
<p>There's no way to tell whether or not these new Galaxy phones can compete with the iPhone 5. But the <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/iphone-4" class="hidden_link">iPhone 4</a> and other superphones? Keep reading to find out.</p>
<h2>So, What's New?</h2>
<p>Despite being essentially the same phone as the international model of the Galaxy S II that has been available overseas, <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/samsung" class="hidden_link">Samsung</a> did make several key improvements.</p>
<p>First, there's <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/4g" class="hidden_link">4G</a>, a welcome change that was noticeably missing before. Sprint's 4G network in NYC was pretty reliable, delivering download speeds of ~5 Mbps on average. Upload speeds were insane. I clocked it at more than 1 Mbps every single test I did. To put that in perspective, most cable modem connections struggle to upload that fast.</p>
<p>The Epic Touch has a larger screen than the standard Galaxy S II model. It's now a massive 4.52 inches, just like <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/samsung-infuse-4g-review-2011-5">Samsung's Infuse 4G on AT&amp;T</a>. Samsung keeps <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/samsung-galaxy-note-2011-9">pushing bigger and bigger smartphone screens</a> on us, and the Epic Touch is about as big as we'd go. Make sure you handle this thing in the store before you purchase.</p>
<p>Samsung also removed the single home button from the bottom of the phone and added the standard menu, home, back, and search keys that you see in most U.S. <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/android" class="hidden_link">Android</a> phones. (For the record, I liked the single button better.)</p>
<p><img src="http://static2.businessinsider.com/image/4e6e5c536bb3f7a30a00001f/samsung-epic-4g-touc.jpg" border="0" alt="Samsung Epic 4G Touc" /></p>
<p>But not all new things are good. As expected, there's a lot of <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/sprint" class="hidden_link">Sprint</a> crapware preloaded on the Epic Touch. Sprint TV, Sprint Zone, Sprint NASCAR (WTF?), Sprint This, Sprint That, etc. I hate it. Find a way to remove all that crap ASAP.</p>
<p>Finally, Samsung made sure to include the latest version of Android (2.3.4 <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/gingerbread" class="hidden_link">Gingerbread</a>) in the Epic Touch, a rare thing for manufacturers nowadays. Samsung has been slow to move to Gingerbread this year, so we're glad it's finally shipping phones with the best <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/google" class="hidden_link">Google</a> has to offer.</p>
<p>The downside: We doubt the Epic Touch will get <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/ice-cream-sandwich" class="hidden_link">Ice Cream Sandwich</a> in a timely fashion after it launches this fall.</p>
<h2>Everything Else Is Pretty Much The Same</h2>
<p>Aside from all that, this is still the same Galaxy S II phone.</p>
<p>Samsung hasn't added much to its TouchWiz skin for Android. (Which we're not crazy about, it needs a refresh.)</p>
<p>And aside from a few tweaks, the processor is pretty much the same in all its dual-core goodness. We've heard there will be some slight variations in speed from model to model, but you won't notice it. Don't worry, the phone is fast as hell.</p>
<p>While the design is larger than the base model, the Epic Touch is still super thin and light. Unfortunately, like most recent Samsung phones, it's covered in cheap-feeling plastic. If you want to stand up to the iPhone, then you should have comparable build quality too.</p>
<p><img src="http://static3.businessinsider.com/image/4e6e5c5beab8ea2504000011/samsung-epic-4g-touc.jpg" border="0" alt="Samsung Epic 4G Touc" /></p>
<h2>Should You Buy It?</h2>
<p>If you're asking yourself "Gee, should I buy a smartphone now or wait for the iPhone 5?" then you definitely need to wait. We'll know everything about the iPhone 5 <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/new-york-times-says-iphone-5-announcement-coming-within-weeks-2011-9">within weeks</a>. Finally.<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/new-york-times-says-iphone-5-announcement-coming-within-weeks-2011-9"> </a></p>
<p>But if you don't care about Apple's next Jesus Phone, then go for it. We don't want to say this is the best Android phone you can buy because that'll probably change as soon as the Nexus Prime hits in a month or so.</p>
<p>Instead, just know you won't be disappointed.</p><h3>Huge, huge, huge screen</h3>
<img src="http://static4.businessinsider.com/image/4e6e5c5b69beddc35d000013-400-300/huge-huge-huge-screen.jpg" alt="" />
<br/><br/><h3>The screen is exactly what we'd expect from Samsung: bright, vibrant, and gorgeous</h3>
<img src="http://static3.businessinsider.com/image/4e6e5c5a6bb3f71611000018-400-300/the-screen-is-exactly-what-wed-expect-from-samsung-bright-vibrant-and-gorgeous.jpg" alt="" />
<br/><br/><h3>Finally! An up-to-date version of Android!</h3>
<img src="http://static1.businessinsider.com/image/4e6e5c5369beddd95d000027-400-300/finally-an-up-to-date-version-of-android.jpg" alt="" />
<br/><br/><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/samsung-epic-touch-4g-review-2011-9#sprints-4g-network-is-pretty-zippy-4">See the rest of the story at Business Insider</a> http://www.businessinsider.com/samsung-epic-4g-touch-hands-on-2011-9Samsung's First New iPhone-Killer To Hit The U.S. Is Here And We Have It [HANDS ON] (S)http://www.businessinsider.com/samsung-epic-4g-touch-hands-on-2011-9
Mon, 12 Sep 2011 15:55:00 -0400Steve Kovach
<p><img style="float:right;" src="http://static4.businessinsider.com/image/4e6e5e40ecad04b50500001a/samsung-epic-4g-touch.jpg" border="0" alt="samsung epic 4g touch" /></p><p>At last, we have the first model of Samsung's <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/galaxy-s-ii" class="hidden_link">Galaxy S II</a> to land in the U.S. of A.</p>
<p>This is the <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/sprint" class="hidden_link">Sprint</a> model, called the Epic Touch <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/4g" class="hidden_link">4G</a>, that's launching September 16 for $199 with a two-year contract.</p>
<p>(<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/t-mobile" class="hidden_link">T-Mobile</a> and AT&amp;T will also have variations of the <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/galaxy-s-ii" class="hidden_link">Galaxy S II</a>, but we still don't have a release date or price for those phones.)</p>
<p>Our snap reaction of the Epic Touch? It's almost exactly like the <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/samsung-galaxy-s-ii-review-2011-7">international version of the Galaxy S II we reviewed</a> a few months ago. That's not a bad thing; it's a great phone.</p>
<p>And we're very glad <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/samsung" class="hidden_link">Samsung</a> was able to add <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/4g" class="hidden_link">4G</a> to the device. Our poor friends overseas are stuck with 3G Galaxy S II's for now.</p>
<p>We'll have a full review up later this week, but check out our hands-on impressions for now.</p><h3>The Epic Touch looks and feels almost exactly like the Galaxy S II everyone overseas has been raving about for months</h3>
<img src="http://static4.businessinsider.com/image/4e6e5c5b69beddc35d000013-400-300/huge-huge-huge-screen.jpg" alt="" />
<br/><br/><h3>We're a little confused about the branding. Sprint calls it the Epic Touch, but "Galaxy S II" is scrawled all over this thing</h3>
<img src="http://static5.businessinsider.com/image/4e6e5c5aeab8ea7f7c000021-400-300/were-a-little-confused-about-the-branding-sprint-calls-it-the-epic-touch-but-galaxy-s-ii-is-scrawled-all-over-this-thing.jpg" alt="" />
<br/><br/><h3>...But they still worked in the Sprint logo</h3>
<img src="http://static5.businessinsider.com/image/4e6e5c5beab8ea2504000011-400-300/but-they-still-worked-in-the-sprint-logo.jpg" alt="" />
<br/><br/><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/samsung-epic-4g-touch-hands-on-2011-9#it-has-the-same-blocky-touchwiz-skin-as-other-samsung-android-phones-4">See the rest of the story at Business Insider</a> http://www.businessinsider.com/wirefly-selling-samsung-galaxy-s-ii-for-150-2011-9You Can Get Samsung's Galaxy S II For Just $150 If You Pre-Order Right Now (S)http://www.businessinsider.com/wirefly-selling-samsung-galaxy-s-ii-for-150-2011-9
Tue, 06 Sep 2011 12:11:39 -0400Steve Kovach
<p><img style="float:right;" src="http://static4.businessinsider.com/image/4e6645abecad04ed73000031/galaxy-s-ii-sale-on-wirefly.jpg" border="0" alt="galaxy s ii sale on wirefly" /></p><p>Samsung's <a class="hidden_link" href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/galaxy-s-ii">Galaxy S II</a> will launch on <a class="hidden_link" href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/sprint">Sprint</a> on September 16 for $200, but if you <a href="http://www.wirefly.com/eCommerce/SpecialOffer.aspx?cid=21427_dd7a4ebdfebb4c71886cc197d7f40336">pre-order from Wirefly</a> you can save $50.</p>
<p>Wirefly will sell you the Epic Touch <a class="hidden_link" href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/4g">4G</a> (Samsung's name for the Galaxy S II) for $150 if you sign up for a two-year contract from Sprint.</p>
<p>So far, Sprint is the only carrier that has a solid release date and price for the Galaxy S II. AT&amp;T and <a class="hidden_link" href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/t-mobile">T-Mobile</a> are expected to announce more details soon.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/samsung-galaxy-s-ii-review-2011-7"><strong>Make sure you read our review of the Galaxy S II right here &gt;</strong></a></p><p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/wirefly-selling-samsung-galaxy-s-ii-for-150-2011-9#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/live-samsung-galaxy-s-ii-announcement-2011-8Here's What Samsung Just Announced About The Galaxy IIhttp://www.businessinsider.com/live-samsung-galaxy-s-ii-announcement-2011-8
Tue, 30 Aug 2011 18:21:00 -0400Steve Kovach
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><img style="float:right;" src="http://static1.businessinsider.com/image/4e5d620269beddb312000003/galaxy-s-ii-event.jpg" border="0" alt="galaxy s ii event" />We're live at Samsung's <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/galaxy-s-ii" class="hidden_link">Galaxy S II</a> announcement. The show starts at 6:30 p.m. Eastern.</p>
<p>Live updates below.</p>
<p>----</p>
<p>6:19 We already got T-Mobile's announcement in our inbox about its model of the <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/galaxy-s-ii" class="hidden_link">Galaxy S II</a>. No other details beyond that it'll have a 4.52-inch screen and will be launching soon</p>
<p>6:21 We also have Samsung's official press release saying the <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/galaxy-s-ii" class="hidden_link">Galaxy S II</a> will be available this fall on <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/sprint" class="hidden_link">Sprint</a>, AT&amp;T, and <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/t-mobile" class="hidden_link">T-Mobile</a></p>
<p>Just got the five-minute warning. Instead of rehashing the press release, we'll just blog as we go...</p>
<p>6:30 We're starting. Wi-Fi is spotty, so deal with us.</p>
<p>Being introduced to new Chief Marketing Officer Todd Pendleton.</p>
<p>6:32 Product unveiling: Three devices. No one is clapping.</p>
<p>6:33 Going through stats: Pretty much the same, except each model will be <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/4g" class="hidden_link">4G</a>. Running <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/android" class="hidden_link">Android</a> <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/gingerbread" class="hidden_link">Gingerbread</a> with TouchWiz.</p>
<p>Super AMOLED Plus display: It's the same display we've seen on other <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/samsung" class="hidden_link">Samsung</a> devices.</p>
<p>Claims to be the thinnest <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/4g" class="hidden_link">4G</a> smartphone for each network its launching on.</p>
<p>8 MP camera, LED flash, 1080p video recording. Video Maker app for video and photo editing.&nbsp;</p>
<p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/google-talk" class="hidden_link">Google Talk</a> video chat will be on the device too.</p>
<p>6:38 Now we're talking about <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/samsung" class="hidden_link">Samsung</a> services built into <a class="hidden_link" href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/galaxy-s-ii">Galaxy S II</a>.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/microsoft" class="hidden_link">Microsoft</a> Exchange ActiveSync: New UI and e-mail and calendar app. Hardware based encryption for database storage.</p>
<p>Media Hub: Content from <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/nbc" class="hidden_link">NBC</a>, Universal, Fox, <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/mtv" class="hidden_link">MTV</a>, <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/cbs" class="hidden_link">CBS</a>, etc, etc. All content stored in the cloud, so you can view it on any other <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/samsung" class="hidden_link">Samsung</a> device.</p>
<p>Media Hub Show: HDMI show plays content from the Galaxy S II onto your big screen TV from your phone.</p>
<p>Voice control for pretty much everything: texting, typing, dialing, etc.</p>
<p>Demo time: Showing off Samsung's new TouchWiz interface. UI much cleaner.</p>
<p>Live Panel: Tap the weather widget, etc. and get a full view of the app. You can also resize the widgets to display more information.</p>
<p>Social Hub: Log in to <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/facebook" class="hidden_link">Facebook</a>, <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/twitter" class="hidden_link">Twitter</a>, <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/linkedin" class="hidden_link">LinkedIn</a>, etc. and access updates from all feeds in one app. It's exactly like Social Hub on the <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/galaxy-tab" class="hidden_link">Galaxy Tab</a>. Nothing new here.</p>
<p>Media Hub Demo: Now we're seeing what it looks like when you play content from your phone on your TV via an HDMI cable. It looks pretty good actually.</p>
<p>6:50 Wrapping up: That was really fast. No word on pricing, release dates, etc. Kind of disappointing.</p>
<p>That's it! We'll post a round up later. Stay tuned.</p><p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/live-samsung-galaxy-s-ii-announcement-2011-8#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p>